282.11—Ranking of flags.
The operators under each principal foreign flag shall be ranked as predominant, secondary, etc., for the purpose of establishing the priority of costs which are representative of the flag. For liner cargo vessels, the ranking of operators shall be based on the long tons of cargo carried.
(a)
If the predominant operator is an agent, charterer or a joint venture in which the vessels are owned by two or more lines, under the name of such agent, charterer or joint venture, the predominant operator shall be the owner whose vessels carried the most cargo.
(b)
If cost experience cannot be obtained for the foreign-flag operators in the subsidized service, MARAD may use the costs of another service, following the same ranking of operators, if possible.